The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1887-08-03
THE GREAT DRAFT RIOTS.
TERRIBLE OPPOSITION TO CON.
sCRIPTIoN IN NEW YORK IN 1853.
A Brief Sketch of the sanguinary
Resistance to the Draft--Hun.
dreds of People Killed.

Resistance to the Drart--Hun.
dreds of People Killed.
The difficulty in enforcing the draft
in New York might have been foreseen,
indeed, it was plainly apprehended, but
it was not thought advisable by the Fed
eral authorities to materially alter the
regulations of conscription in putting the
law in forcein that city. Still, there can
be no doubt that the vastly different con-
ditions then existing in New York from
those in inland towns of the State, OF
even other seaboard cities, formed the
original causl of the trouble. New York
had then much larger population than
any other city, and much greater pro-
portion of foreigners among her inhab-
itants. These, naturally enough, had
no sentiment of patriotism TO aid
them in submitting to the harsh
conditions of conscription. Further,
there were, as there always are in every
large city, a great proportion of poor men
whose families live from hand to mouth,
and who never have any provision made
for future contingencies. To such
families of course the forcible removal of
their bread-winner meant starvation.
To such an extent had apprehensions Of
this fate of their wives and children been
aroused among the laboring men of the
city-especially in those districts largely
inhabited by foreigners, and no doubt
melted by those who opposed the draft
for political reasons-that associations
were formed to resist the law by force.
On Saturday, July IL, 1868, the draft
was begun in the Ninth Congressional
District, locality largely inhabited by
poor people. 1t was carried on without
interruption or disturbance, but on Sun
day secret meetings were held and the
plans of resistance formed. When the
draft was begun on the following morn.
ing, mob surrounded the building in
which it was held, smashed in the win.
dows, broke down the doors, and, rush.
ing in, destroyed, the furniture, and
finally set the building on fire. All of the
officers escaped uninjured but one, who
was hurt by flying stones. The success OF
the rioters here added large numbers tc
their ranks and in a few hours great
army, REINFORCED by all the roughs ol
the city, was trampling through the
streets, burning, destroying, plunderin9
and numbering wherever resistance was
offered them. Crowds of women were
with them, melting their husbands tc
lawless deeds. At first detachment OF
marines were sent against them with
muskets and blank cartridges. When il
was known that their firing produced no
effect the crowd set upon them and beat
! them, seriously injuring and even killing
/ several. Police sent against them were
treated in like manner. The Colored
Half Orphan Asylum on Fifth avenue
was attacked by an army of boys, the
children beaten, the place plundered and
fired. There was no force at hand tc
defend the city from the rioters but tbs
police, which did valiant service, though
they were not at all able to check the
disorder. On the second day the rioting
was even worse than on the first. Gov.
ernor Seymour having arrived in the
city, issued proclamation in which he
promised the people that the rights of al
would be protected, while he warned the
people that he would use all means in hii
power to preserve order. A few hours latel
he issued another proclamation, in which
he declared the city in a state of insur
rection, and ordered the dispersal of the
mob. These proclamations, however
did but little good. General Wool, tn,
head of the department of the East
called out all veteran volunteers, bu
there was so little time for organizing
that, though large numbers responded
they could not be used effectively. A
small command of regular troops from
Fort Lafayette did more effective service
The riot lasted three days, during which
business was entirely suspended. Th'
draft was for the time given up, and the
City Council passed a relief bill to pay
$500 Communication, or substitute money
for every drafted man of the poore
classes who had family dependent upor
him. 1t was estimated that the numbe
killed during the riots, or who died o
injuries, was nearly 1000, but this wa
probably an exaggerated estimate. Tn
mortality statistics recorded an increaS
of 450 nver the average weekly mortalit.
of the year. There was much destruc
tion of property, and claims for damage
caused by the riots were brought befor
the county authorities to the aggregat
of $4,000, 900. Many, however, wer
disallowed by the examining committee
but about 81, 500, 900 was finally paid
Chicago Inter- Ocean.
Pulque in Mexico.